32 Weeks

Dear Baby Batts,

Just (about) eight more weeks! At 32 weeks this week, you are almost ready to make your debut! All of your organs are developed and your lungs are getting a workout as you inhale amniotic fluid. Your fingernails are all developed (and toe nails aren't far behind) and they say you sleep 90-95% of the time. Based on how active you've been lately, I'm not so sure I believe them...

Bump shots:

This gray shirt? One of the comfiest I own!

Round.

It's so funny - when I lay down on my back at night, I can feel you settling in, spreading out some, and getting comfy. When I turn onto my side to sleep, I feel you slide over to the left then seem to brace yourself up against my side! It's like you're saying, "Whoa! What's going on?! I have to get re-positioned now!" It takes you a few minutes to settle back down. Then, when I move or swap sides, I often feel you moving around, too. At almost 4 pounds and about 19 inches long, I'm not surprised it takes you a while to get comfy in those cramped quarters!

Your daddy asked me, "What does it feel like when she moves?" I had him hold out his hand and I poked it a little and said, "Imagine that... but from the inside." It's a feeling that I've never experienced, that I don't know how to explain, but that I love. Feeling you move (and seeing you move!) never ceases to amaze me. Lately, I've been able to pinpoint a little better what body part I'm feeling - often a foot or hand, I think. Sometimes when you kick my side, I rub that place a little and feel you moving around more.

Before we know it, you'll be moving in my arms rather than my tummy. This time has passed so quickly, Ruthie, and we can't wait to welcome you into our family.

Love,
Mama

31 Weeks, 6 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Today is National Coffee Day! Your daddy and I looooove coffee (and especially coffee dates) and since this "holiday" coincided with Date Night, we stopped and got some (10 cent!) coffees at Holiday then walked around WalMart.

Coffee Date! 

Holding my Coffee

Your awesome daddy and his coffee

We didn't buy anything at WalMart (though we're currently in the market for a new camera...) but we enjoyed just walking around, talking, holding hands, and drinking coffee. Low key but so so fun.

Love,

Mama

31 Weeks, 5 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

We saw Donna today! Memaw went with me to my appointment today (since your daddy was in class). Donna said you're still measuring a little small (at 30 weeks instead of almost 32) but she said you're curled up in a ball, which could explain it. Your head was in a perfect position, your butt was sticking out to the right, and you had a foot over by my left side. Your heartbeat sounded beautiful - like a beating drum or pounding hammer - and was a steady 139-141 BPM.

Donna said she had absolutely no concerns whatsoever and is pleased with how well things are going... and she was shocked we're almost through! I am, too. I can't believe there's just (about) 2 more months until we get to meet you.

Memaw mentioned that Grandma Vi's birthday was in early December. How special would it be for you to be born on that day, since you are named (in part) after her? But that would also mean you are about 2 weeks late... Eek.

Either way, little one, I'm so so glad you're doing well. Keep growing. Keep wiggling. Keep bringing joy to us - I know you will.

Love,
Mama

31 Weeks, 3 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Tonight, I watched the play "Jane Eyre" with Juliet and Ana at Valley Performing Arts! We had such a fun time, just chatting and being together:

Ana, Juliet, and me

At one point, Juliet leaned over and whispered, "Can you imagine Ruthie up there one day?" Right now, no! I want you to be little in my tummy, safe from rejection and fear and hurt, forever!

But simultaneously, Ruth, I so desperately want you to grow into the woman the Lord wants you to be... and I know you can't do that while remaining in the womb. I want you to laugh and dance and really LIVE, experiencing the joy (and the pain) that come along with it.

It kind of reminds me of when I was in India a couple years ago (or, like 6 years ago!). One day, we went to a small "mountain" near a village and climbed to the top with some locals. There was a rock about halfway up and I, along with a couple other girls, climbed the rock. The view from the top was amazing. We could see the whole valley below us. But then the guys called to us, telling us that there was another rock a little further up that we should all climb. To be honest, Ruth, I didn't want to - I was content and comfortable with the view I had there. But I remember thinking, "What if the view is even better at the other rock? Will I settle for this one when the other one could be great?" So I climbed down, walked up the mountain, and scampered up the other rock. And baby girl - the view was so much better. We were way above the trees, above everything, and could see for miles:

Taking it in.

I just remember the Lord whispering to my heart - "Don't settle for the lower rock." And I'm so glad I didn't.

I hope you never settle for the lower rock, dear daughter. Whether that means auditioning for a play instead of sitting in the audience, swinging for a home run instead of bunting, or following the Lord to other countries instead of spending your summers at home, I hope you always strive for the higher rock. I hope you always follow the Lord to that rock.

And in those hard moments, remember Psalm 61:2 - "From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."

Love,
Mama

31 Weeks, 2 Days

Dear Baby Batts,

Maybe I'm not sleeping as well as I thought I was... when I woke up this morning, my hair told a crazy story. You can't tell, but the back of it was all sticky-upy, too!

All Over Da Place!

Memaw bought me these silk pajamas, which are so nice to wear to bed... but already it is almost too short to cover you, especially first thing in the morning when you're really sticking out.

Almost too-short pajamas!

It always makes me giggle, how much you stick out sometimes (and how far back in you push yourself sometimes!). 

You certainly have your moments of activity and rest - so far today, you've been pretty active, but yesterday was pretty quiet. We can't wait to see how your personality post-birth matches what you've done in the womb.

Love you, baby girl!

Mama